The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/ Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency of Oyo State, Hon. Shina Peller has denied an alleged statement credited to him rubbishing Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
Hon. Shina Peller in a swift reaction on Sunday 10th October 2021, while posting a screenshot from a popular online news media on his alleged statement about Tinubu’s Presidential ambition, stated that contrary to reports, he has nothing against the 2023 presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), whom he described as a father and leader.
He said the report in the media, is a misrepresentation of what he said. He said:
“To set the record straight, I have nothing against our leader nor his presidential ambition. I have enjoyed a father and son relationship with him for years, and it remains so,” he said.
What Hon Shina Peller Said About Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition?
” My attention has been drawn to the news on blogs quoting me to have said that the APC Leader “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be anointed as next President”.
Sadly, it is a misrepresentation of what I said. To set the record straight, I have nothing against our leader nor his presidential ambition. I have enjoyed a father and son relationship with him for years, and it remains so.
I commented on the age long political style of forcing candidates down the throat of the citizens, without thinking of the principles of equity, equality and fairness.
I stated that the rest of the world is leaving Nigeria behind in terms of rapid growth and development and only through strong institutions, we can collectively make just decisions for visible progress in the country, especially in our electioneering process.
The next general election is a reset period for our dear country. We must get it right! Our collective decision must be based on promoting peace and unity.
Also, I urge the media practitioners, who are regarded as the fourth estate of the realm, to use their powerful instruments to promote love, peace and unity rather than stir up disunity, disaffection and unnecessary conflicts,” he added.
What Was Reported By The Media About Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition?
According to media reports, Hon Shina Peller in an interview with Sam Olatunji to a question on whether former Lagos governor, Bola Tinubu should be president of Nigeria in 2023, was alleged to have said that the president’s office should be based on a strong institution rather than individuals. He said criteria should be set, leaving whoever meets the criteria to occupy the office.
Quoting the House of Reps member, the report alleged that Shina Peller said:
“We need to build an institution now, we do not need to take any single person and be saying we want to now rally around that person. I think let us form an institution, let us identify criteria and let us see who meets up with the criteria.
“There is no institution that has set up the criteria yet, if the criteria say the next president should be Christian, is Asiwaju a Christian?,” he allegedly said.
The House of Representatives member further stated that relying on personalities to save Nigeria was a mistake and that the next president should be elected through institutions capable of ensuring the competency of the individuals.
“We have made the mistake two times. There was a time in Nigeria when President Obasanjo was brought from prison and everybody was saying he is the best person that could do this and we started to run around him.
The Same thing happened to President Buhari, everybody was saying Mohammadu Buhari is a saint, he is not corrupt and then everyone starts to run around him, I believe this must stop,” Mr Peller was reported to have said.